Binder.



UNITED sTiiTEs PATENT oEEioE.

ROBERT J. COPELAND, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA BINDER.

To all ilmm it. may concern a citizen of the United States, .and a resident of Toronto, andwhose post-ollice address' is 75 Queen street west,..loronto,-Do minion of Canada, and now temporarily residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful linprovements iii Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lbinders of the class adapted to confine a plurality of loose sheets by means of, two or more separable members. Two of these members serve to clamp the sheets to be bound and it is ageneral obj ect of this invention to provide means whereby one of said clamping members may be quickly and conveniently pressed by hand from open to closed position relatively to the second and then positively clamped against the bound sheets by mechanical means such as a mechanical power.

A further object is to vprovide a releasing means in combination with this mechanical power whereby azquick release of the clamping member or'ineinbers may be effected.

`More specifically, arr'object of the invention is to combine a suitable grip or clutch mechanism preferably a friction grip cooperating with an untoothed tongue with a mechanical power which is employed to move two members of the binder relatively to each other.

1n a preferred form of the invention, this grip mechanism and mechanical power are employed positively to actuate a pair of separable binding strips. 1t is preferred that these binding strips be confined to move with a parallel motion and always equally separated from a third strip or back inem- 'ber. Any suitable .means may be employed to give the binder strips this parallel movement although connecting links may be preferably employed and operate as toggles iii 'combination with a reciprocating plate.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in Figure 1 is an inside elevation of the assembled binder frame with p art-s broken away and thecovers removed. Fig.` 2 is a detail section, 'eiilarged' and showing 'the mechanical power and gripping mechanism, but '\vitli"plate 3:9 renioved. Fig. 3 is a devtail section through line 3 3 lof Fig. 1 'show- Specification of Letters Patent.

@prima an March 20.1907. serai No. 363.458.

PatentedJan. 14, 1908.

A "ing the key seal case. Fig. 4 is atleta-il view Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. COPELAND,

taken lthrcnigh line lill of Figfl, with parts omitted. F ig. 5 is a perspective view of the tail section'through line (3i-6 of Fig.v 2 but showing the reciprocating slide in position. F 7 is an enlarged detail section showing the constrictor 22.

referring now more in det-ail to the drawings,-1 and 2 indicate respectively' upper and lowerseparable members or separable binder strips mounted to slide, in opening and closing, upon a back plate or member 3. The clamps 4 land 5 are secured lto the back plate and serve to, hold the strips land 2 against the same, while guiding the strips in their opening and closing movement. addition to this guiding means, there are provided a series of telescopic lposts 6, 7 of any desired number. These posts have one member 6 or 7 secured to a strip 1 or 2 and also serve to steady the opening and closing of the binder strips andarev provided for filing perforated paper sheets. Some spring means is preferably provided normally tending to separate the binder strips. As illusin certain of the post-s 6, 7, preferably in the outside pests. More springs 8 may be provided in a similar manner, if desired, or spring means for opening the binder may be provided in other localities than in the posts.

10 designates a longitudinally reciprocating member or slide constrained against transverse movement relatively to vthe back 3. Pivoted to this reciprocating member at their inner ends' are a series of links 11, 12, 13 and 14. The other endsv of these links are pivoted, 11 and 13 to the upper binder strip 1, and 12 and 14. to the lower binder strip 2.

A trough 13 is formed medially along'the inner face of the back member 3 for the reception of the mechanical power and gripping means. Fixed against `longitudinal movement in a bearing 16 is a mechanical power in the form of a screw 17. The threaded sleeve 18 operatively engages tl'ie screw 17 and has secured thereto a tubular shell 19 by means of a pin 20. This pin 20v extends through both the shell 19 and sleeve 18 and projects into agroove 21 formed longitudinally in the bottom of the trough 13,- thus permitting a longitudinal movement of tation thereof. The inner face of the outer end of thes'hell 19 isl restricted and .prefer- :gripk aw member..` Fig. Gis anfenlarged de-v the shell 19 and sleeve 18 but preventing rotrated, this spring means 8 may be located gether by en agement with t ably formed conically, as shown at 22, so as to rovide a constrictor or closing means against which the gripping yjaws 23 are normally pressed by the spring 24. As best seen in Fig. the jaws 23 are formed of segments, preferabl conical, and having spring Shanks 25, whic ferentially continuous portion 26 of the shank. The jaws 23 have a normal tendency to Vremain slightly spread apart, as illustrated in Fig. 5, but ma be forced tofie conical face 22 of the Shel 19 so as to rip a cooperating tongue 27, which is pre -erably'rearwardly tapered, as shown, so as to increase the gripping action of the jawsy 23. The tongue 27 extends longitudinally from the block 28 which is secured directly to the 'reciprocating member or slide by means of a screw 29.

30 is an abutment fixed fast to the walls of the trough 13 to coperate with the gripping aws 23, as will hereinafter be described, and also lcenterin the tongue 27 which passes therethroug The exposed end of the screw 17 is provided with an extension 31 specially formed for the reception and engagement of the key 32.V This extension 31 Ina besquared or otherwise formed for loc ing engagement with said key. A suitable hole 33 is formed at the end 34 of the binder backthrough plat'e39 to permit the insertion of the key 32.

As shown in detail inFigs. 2 and 3, the end-34 of the back 3 instead of being solid like the` opposite end 35, may be cut away at 36 for the reception. of a-case 37 which is hinged at 38 to an outer plate 39 secured to .the end 34 by screws 40 and it is through this plate 39 that the hole 33 extends. The case 37 is pierced to form a hole 41 which will aline with the hole 33 when the case 37 is forced d own into the position shown in Fig. 4. A paper seal ma be inserted within the case 37 to cover the oles 33 and 41 and prevent tampering withy the binder actuating mechanism. A. spring 42 normally tends to elevate the case 37. When the binder is Closed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the case 37 Y may be pressed down, as shown in Fig. 4,

when the catch 43 engages in the slot 44 to hold the case closed as shown in Fig. 4. Although the spring 45 normally tends to force the case 37 away from the plate 39 to disengage the groove 44 from the catch 43,

Athe inturned end 46 of' the binder strip 1 are extensions from the circumwhile thelinks 11, 12, 1 3 and 14, 'pivoted to the reciprocating member 10, always maintain the binder strips 1 and l2 at equal distances from the back member 3 and likewise maintain said strips always parallel to one another and to said back member,

lf a slight left handed movement is given to the screw 17'with the binder'mechanism as shown inFig. 1, the j aws-23 will vbe forced against the'abutment 30. The jaws 23 will be forced away from the closing means 22 against the action of the spring 24 and will spread apart due to the spring action of the Shanks 25 so aste release the tongue 27, which may then freely therebetween. Then the binder stripsji and 2 will ily apart quickly inresponse to the'action of the separating springs 8; When the jaws 23 are abutted against the abutment 30, the binder strips 1 and 2 may be manipulated manually, freely into open and closed positions. The abutment 30 is .therefore means independent of the tongue 27 for releasing or isengagmg the grip. Thus, when the ybinder is open, the

desired number of sheets to be bound may be inserted within the binder about the posts 6, 7 and the slack between the binder strips 1 and 2 and the sheets may be uickly taken up manualhr by pressing the inder strips together. t has been found, however, that theA mere manual pressing together of the strips will not alwaysfirfnly clam the bound sheets. Firm clamping of the s eets may be accomplished -with satisfaction by imparting' a righthanded movement to the screw 17, so that the jaws 23 leave the abutment 30. Then the spring 24 forces the jaws 23 against the constrictor or closing means 22 which wedges them together so as to grip the tongue 27.

24 is means for rendering the constrictor operative to cause the grip to grip the tongue. A continued movement of Ithe screw 17 to the right will cause the grip 23. to drag along the tongue and the resistance of the tongue to this dragging along will cause the grip 23 to grip it the tighter by increasing the wedging action of the closing means 22 on the grip 23. This gripping is increased by the wedging action o the tongue 27 when it is tapered as shown. As the tongue 27 is dragged to the right, it lcarries with it the block 28 and the reciprocating member 10 secured thereto'by a screw 29. ber 10 exerts a positive mechanical clamping action u on the binder strips 1 and 2 bv means o the links 11, 12, 13 and 14, which action is, of course, in addition to and separate from any clamping action which may be manually exerted directly upon the strips 1 and 2. lt is'also obvious that, even when the gripping jaws 2? are clear of the abutment 30 and are pressed into engagement with the tongue 27, that the tongue 27 has a This memerases right, independent ot the mechanical movement or screw 1T, and the untoothed tonguey tend to torce them back to thel right against the action ol spring 2-1. Any slight movement o'il the jaws 23S to the right relative to the constrictor or closing means 22 will relieve the closing action oi 22 and the jaws will open sulliciently to allow the tongue 2T to slip therebetween 'freely to the right but they would ellectively check any return movement ot' the tongue 27 to the lei't. Thus, even when the position ot the grip is such that the binder strips l and 2 are not permitted to be moved freely into bothopen and closed positions independently ol' the mechanici'il clamping means l?, 1,3, ctc., they do have a Ylrce movement into closed position which may be accomplished manually because ol the Al'ree movement ol tongue 27 in a right liand diiection, as just described. Ot course, il desired, the strips may be closed together entirely by the action oi `the screw means l? ete. without being manually closed but this takes more time. f

A preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described but it is to be understood that various moditications within the scope and spirit ot this invention are contemplated.

what is claimed and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is i. ln a. binder in combination, two separable members; mechanical means for positively clamping said members towards one another; and a` cot'iperating releasable i'riction clutch l'or perniittingthe quick release and separation oi said members.

2. In a binder, two separable binding strips a reciprocating member; means movably connecting said strips with said reciprocating member whereby said strips may be iin-ved in opposite directions with tliereciprocation of said recijirocating member;l means ior actuating said reciprocating member; and a i'eleasablc l'riction clutch for operatively connecting said means and said reciprocating member.

3. ln a binder, two separable binding strips; a reciprocating member; means movably connecting said strips with said reciprocating member whereby said strips may be moved in opposite directions with the recipl l i l l rocation ot said reciprocating member; screw means lor actuating said reciprocating meinber; and a "reina-sable tric-tion clutch tor operatively connecting said screw means and v, said rec-iprocating member. g

-l. ln a. binder, two scaarable binding f strips; a reciprocating member, means inovablv connecting said strips with said-rcr'ij'irol/I eating nieiiibei"wherebywsaid strips may be moved in opposite directioi'is with the recip-ffI rocation ot' said recijirocating membjer; screwv means ior actuating said reciprocating mem-.- ber; a releasable l'riction clutch for oper-y atively connecting said screw means and said reciprocating member; and means coperisfo ating with said clutch whereby a predeter" mined movement oi said screw means willre- `v` i leas J said clutch te permit a free opening and closing ot said binder strips independently of said screw means.

ln a clamping inechaiiisni for binders, the combinatioii. of a mechanical power and a one way vfriction grip whereby slack may be taken up independently of said mechanical power.

6. ln a clamping mechanism for binders, the combination ot a mechanical power and a one way grip whereb)r slack may be taken up independently of said mechanical power; said grip comprising jaws normally spriiig pressed into engagement with a closing means, said closing means operating to torce said jaws into and to hold the saine yin gripping position.

7. In a clamping mechanism for binders',

the combination of a mechanical power and-1a?! one way grip whereby slack may be takenup'V independently of said mechanical power; said grip comprising jaws normally spring pressed into engagement with a constrictor,n 'y

said constrictor opera-ting to force said jaws' into and to hold the saine in gripping'posir-"i tion; and a tongue to be gripped by said jaws.

ln a clamping mechanism for binders,v

the combination. of a screw. and a threaded e sleeve iiXed against rota-tion; a tongue to be.-

dragged along by the turning of said-screw; and .a tubular grip 'iixed to said sleeve and normally engaging said tongue bn'typierinit--' ting the free movement of saidtongue in one direction. l

9. In a clamping mechanism for binders, the combination ot va screw and a threaded sleeve 'iixed against rotation; a tongue to be dragged along by the turni-ng of said screw; a tubular grip comprising jaws and 'fixed to said sleeve and normally engaging said ton gne but permitting the iree movement of said tongue iii one direction; and an abutment for diseiigaging said jaws upon a predetermined movement o'l" said tubular it), ln a binder lock, a tric-tion grip; an iinioothed toiigne locked by said orip against movement in one direction and free to move i in the opposite direction; and means engagement with said tongue, preventing the against movement in the other direction; 'and means for dlsenga mg the grip from'the `constrictor to release t tapered untoothed tonguel locked vmeans engageable with said grip and inde` inthe opposite direction; and' means engageable with said gripfand independent of said tongue for releasing the grip.

11; .In a binder lock, a constrictor; a releasable friction grip normally hel/d incop-4 eratlve engagement with said constrictor, an untoothed tongue capable of moving through the grip in one direction and restrained by the gripagainst movement in the other direction; and -means' to release the grip.

12. In a binder lock, a constrictor; a release-ble grip normally held in cooperative engagement with said constrictor; a tongue capable of moving freely through the grip in one direction and restrainedby the grip e tongue.- 13. In a blnder lock, a constrictor; a tongue; a grip eoperatmg with saidconstrictor-togrip the tongue and lock it freely against movement in one direction, said tongue having va free movement by the grip in the opposite direction.; and. means for rendering the constrictor operative to cause the grip to grip and to release the tongue.

'1. Inv a binder lock, la friction grip; an untoothed tongue' locked by saidA grip against movement in one direction and free to move gageable with said grip and independent of said 4tongue for releasing the grip.

15. In al binder lock, a friction gripgfa by said grlp against movement 1n one direction and free to move in the opposite direction; and

pendent vof said tongue for releasing the grip.

16. In a binder lock, an untoothed tongue; friction gripping jaws for said tongue; means normally holding said jaws in operative enmovement of said tongue in one direction but permitting its movement in the other direction; and means for engaging said jaws to release said tongue and permit its free movement in said first direction.

.17.'In a binder, a plurality of separable binder strips, a friction locking mechanism toprevent the separation of said strips com- 18. In a binder, aplurality of se arablel binder strips, a friction locking' mec ianism to prevent the separation or said strips comprising a tongue, a sleeve and jaws for frictionally lsecurlng said tongue against .movement in one direction relatlvely to said-l 'sleeve but permitting a free movement f of said tongue relatively tosaid sleeve in the.'V

other direc-tion; and means forv releasing said jaws from said tongue. 19. In -a binder lock,.a tongue, gripping jaws therefor, a member provided'withv closlng means; a spring coperating with said member and normally lforcing said jaws against said closing means to hold said tongue against movement in one direction while permitting a movement of said tonguel 1n 4the opposite directlon.

20'. AIn a binder lock, a rearwardly ta pered untoothed tongue, friction gripping jaws therefor, a member provided with closing means; a spring cooperating with said member4 and normally forcing vsaid jaws against said closing means to hold said tongue against movement in one -direction while permitting a movement of said tongue in the opposite direction.

21. In a binder lock, a tongue, gripping jaws therefor, a'member provided with closing means; a spring cooperating With said member and normally forcing said jaws against said closing means to 'holdsaidv tongue against movement in one direction while `permittingla movement of said tongue in the opposite direction; and operative means for causing said jaws to release said tongue. v

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of twi I subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT J. COPELAND.

Witnesses:

NICHOLAS M. GoonLn-rr, JR. LEONARD DAY. 

